(ECUADOR) At this past week’s inauguration of the Mola Series in Portoviejo, I was honored to be introduced to the audience by sculptor/artist/poet Ivo Uquillas. Part of his speech addressed a subject he and I stumbled upon while viewing the paintings earlier that day. I pointed out that I once admired and sketched an artifact on Isla Ometepe in Nicaragua, then years later saw another similar artifact in Guatemala, and then another in a museum in Ecuador.

Ivo grew silent for a moment then stated that long ago, there were no borders, no labels, no rules of staying within invisible boundaries. The Indians were free to wander, to experience, to interact, barter and exchange information freely with one another.

Honduras

Guatemala/El Salvador

How sad it is that the honor and freedom of exploring and experiencing our beautiful world is limited only to those who have the funds and correct documents to cross those borders. Nature knows no borders; one side of a river is basically the same as the other, yet one has to refrain from exploring it if it involves crossing a border. How lucky the Indians were, that they could roam the continents without worries about expired, damaged or lost passports!

Once upon a time when there were no borders… (Petroglyph detail)

Years ago someone asked if given a chance, would I want to travel into the future or to the past.

“To the past!” I quickly answered! “I’d like to see the Indians, watch them at work and at play, shadow them in the jungle, ride in their boats, experience their world…”

Ah, it’s always great t hear that comforting ‘Suthern accent! Cuenca is a lovely city, and would probably be one of several places I might find that book! Finding ANY book in English is quite the prize here in Manabi! Z

Finally! I’ve gotten here and am sorting out where you are, who you are and what you’re doing. I’m sending a link to your blog to an artist in upstate New York. I’ve often told him his work reminds me of molas, and I know he’ll enjoy seeing your work.
His name is Gary Myers, and you can see one of my favorite of his pieces here.

As to your larger point about the borders – I’m reminded of the continuing struggles in Africa, many of which are directly attributable to the imposition of national boundaries across tribal lines. The primary allegiance is to tribe, not nation – every sort of complication results.

And of course here in the US a natural tolerance toward the movement of people has been eroded by the movement of some very nasty people – particularly the cartels, who don’t much care who they obliterate in the pursuit of their trade. A bit of creative thinking might begin to resolve the situation, but creative thinking seems to be in short supply just now!

Thank you, dear Carlos! I considered inserting an image of a bird, so we merge thoughts on that one! And yes, thank goodness thoughts have no borders, and through the magic of cyberspace, your blog and music allows me to visit Argentina whenever the whim nudges me in that direction! hola to you as well, and buenas noches! z

My favourite vernacular poem particularly questions the erection of borders and what man has gained by them! Like you I would return to the past too, a freer, unhampered world. Don’t see the future ever achieving that kind of freedom.

Si! I would miss some of today’s comforts and conveniences, though I am – in the present – still my best when alone with nature and removed from the sounds of the cosmopolitan life.
Thanks for your feedback!

You have an adventurous spirit that speaks so beautifully through your work and words. This sounds exciting, “To the past!” I quickly answered! ”I’d like to see the Indians, watch them at work and at play, shadow them in the jungle, ride in their boats, experience their world…” A lot of times, I’m also intrigued by the rich past, of beauty in simplicity, of the amazing art and architectural process, of passion the is seen in every object created in those era, of exploration that brings us to the different parts of the world.

Yes, it’s our loss that we know so little about the details of their lives, and that so much was destroyed (in the Americas at least) – Yes,the architectural process astounds and the art amazes and they mystery of it all intrigues some of us! Thanks! Z